Democrats nominated Gil Cisneros in the competitive race for retiring GOP Rep. Ed Royce’s open seat in Orange County, a district they have high hopes of flipping. But it’s the year of #MeToo, and a sexual misconduct allegation made against Cisneros this spring is resurfacing in Republican attack ads.
The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC affiliated with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., launched an ad on Thursday rehashing the allegation that state assembly candidate Melissa Fazli made against Cisneros in May. Fazli accused Cisneros of suggesting she have sex with him in exchange for a campaign donation. Fazli claims an intoxicated Cisneros asked to go to her hotel room after an event in February, and then demanded, “What are you going to do for me?” in a phone call during which she was requesting a donation one week later. Cisneros denies the allegation.
Nevertheless, CLF has included the allegation in more than one ad against him. In addition to the spot released Wednesday, one released last week mentioned the claims as well. This week’s ad was focused entirely on the allegations.
“It’s wrong. It’s disgusting. Gil Cisneros, have you no shame?” a female narrator asks.
Hillary Clinton defeated President Trump in the historically Republican district by a margin of nine points. Cisneros’ Republican opponent is Young Kim, who would be the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress if she were to win in November.
